Dear Editor,
In a few days’ time Guyana will be celebrating its Golden Jubilee ‒ fifty years as an independent nation. As citizens it is important for us to exhibit our patriotism in a tangible manner. Many of our relatives and friends, along with numerous visitors will be gracing our shores for the event of a lifetime, and as such I am making an appeal to owners, operators and producers of our many radio stations to show their patriotism by playing strictly Guyanese music for this period.
On such an occasion it is necessary for us to showcase Guyana in a favourable manner.
It would be nice to get into that music box and pull out those old songs that were sung by our many artistes in the years leading up to our Independence and beyond, with Terry Nelson’s ‘We Welcome Independence to Guyana’ being the feature hit on every programme. We have enough local songs, dating back from the sixties to the present which can surely fill an entire programme, and I am quite sure many of our older folks will reminisce on the good old days when they hear songs coming from artistes such as Eddy Grant, Eddie Hooper, Mark Holder, Bobby Nourville, Billy Wade, King Fighter, Dave Martins, Johnny Braff, Ivor and Delma Lynch, among others. This is not to forget our Indo artistes, Sash Persaud, Sammy Baksh, Manni Haniff, Celia Samaroo and others. Our gospel artistes Shawn Bhola, Shawn English, Kester D, Miriam Corlette, Cheryl Maloney and others, blend with our calypsonians Lord Canary, Mighty Rebel, Intruder, Kendingo, Lady Guymine, Explainer, Stella, Monique ‒ and the list goes on. We should hear our Shanto king, Bill Rogers, followed by artistes of today like Lisa Punch, Jomo, Joie, Kwasi Ace, Diamond and others.
It is a Guyanese celebration so it is important that we showcase Guyana to the wider world, and let them see what we had and still have in the music industry. Come on Mr DJ, the ball is in your court; step up to the plate and promote and showcase Guyana’s talent. Let the world see the rich resources we produce in the music industry. For two weeks only, exhibit your patriotism by playing strictly Guyanese music.
Yours faithfully,
Fitzroy I Hughes
